03072024 NEWS AND SPORT

four-year-old boy found dead after left ‘unattended’ in bath

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A fouR-YEAR-oLD toddler was left unattended in a bathtub and later found dead by his guardians at an apartment complex on McKinney Avenue on Tuesday. Police said yesterday that a 23-year-old woman

and a 45-year-old man were arrested and questioned in connection with the incident. Police said the child was found with visible injuries. Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe urged people not to jump to conclusions pending the autopsy results.

There will be layoffs’

Coleby-Davis: No plan to bust unions or harm employees

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

ENERGY and Transport Minister Jobeth ColebyDavis said the Davis administration’s ambitious plan to reform BPL would not bust unions or harm employees. “There will be no BPL

Bowleg: We’ll change policy after Charlton unable to get reward

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas’ current sports policy does not let the government properly award Devynne Charlton, the hurdler who won gold and set a world record during last week’s World Indoor Championships, according to Youth,

Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg. He said the Davis administration would update the policy so such athletes could get proper awards. under the sports policy, only Track and field athletes who compete at the olympics, World Championships or Pan American

layoffs,” she said after revealing during her midyear budget contribution yesterday that BPL needs $1bn to address debt and deteriorating infrastructure. Neither she nor Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis gave insight into BPL plans, with Mr Davis saying

‘ top- up tax won’t directly affect bahamians’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the corporate income tax his administration will introduce would not directly affect Bahamian-owned ventures, but would generate $140m per year in government revenue.

The Davis administration will introduce a Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax, which targets multinational

enterprises with annual turnovers exceeding 750 million Euros. During his contribution to yesterday’s mid-year budget debate, Mr Davis rebuffed critics of the tax.

“As

‘There will be no BPL layoffs’

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negotiations are ongoing.

Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard and BPL union leaders have said the administration aims to separate the transmission and distribution sides of BPL from the generation side with the help of new partners. The unions have come out against what they have learned so far.

Mrs Coleby-Davis’ ministry confirmed yesterday that two members of BPL’s board recently resigned, though the reasons were not revealed.

Christina Alston, the chief operating officer of BPL from 2017 to 2019, and Dylan Sawyer, the son of former Progressive Liberal Party Central and South Abaco candidate Gary Sawyer, are new appointees to the board.

Mrs Coleby-Davis said yesterday that BPL is more than $500m in debt and that over $500m will be needed over the next five years to upgrade its decaying infrastructure.

“It owes banks, it owes

the government, and it owes employees’ pensions that are underfunded by $120m,” she said. “Big change is needed.”

Mrs Coleby-Davis said a $300m investment generation equipment in New Providence and the Family Islands is needed, as well as a $130m investment in transmission and distribution in New Providence in the next two years alone, $35m for advanced metering infrastructure, and $70m in other costs.

She said the government’s plan would deliver lower prices, increase reliability, and produce cleaner sources of energy for Bahamians.

“It is paramount that we attract capital and expertise where needed to ensure that we build a robust and resilient utility capable of servicing the Bahamian people for generations to come,” she said.

“Our goal is to select partners who are best in class and have the global reach to achieve that gold standard.”

Mrs Coleby-Davis, echoing Mr Davis, said the

Authorities will be able to issue environmental ‘spot fines’ when new regulations pass

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

AUTHORITIES will be able to issue spot fines ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 for a variety of environmental infractions when legislators pass newly released environmental regulations.

Under the Environmental Planning and Protection (Spot Fines) Regulations, 2024, law enforcement officers could issue a $1,000 spot fine for the unauthorised use of single-use plastic bags, utensils, and styrofoam food containers.

Obstructing environmental officers or assaulting officers in the execution of their duty could result in a $5,000 fine. A $10,000 fine could be issued for beginning project works without approval of a Certificate of Environmental Clearance, not complying with a Closed Area Order, or falsifying or providing misleading information.

A $15,000 fine could be issued for breaching a scientific research permit,

unlawfully exporting or transferring biological resources and failing to comply with any condition specified in a permit.

Damaging coral reefs, failing to comply with a notice of nonprotected wildlife, not complying with environmentally sensitive areas and species orders, not complying with a Pollution Control Permit, discharging hazardous substances in Bahamian waters, conducting research without a Scientific Research Permit, damaging the environment, unlawfully possessing biological resources, not complying with conditions specified in a certificate of environmental clearance and soliciting unauthorised confidential information could all incur a spot fine of $20,000.

Last year, environmentalist Joe Darville welcomed the government’s intention to introduce spot fines.

“That type of law is adequate and should have been in place a long time ago so that there is adequate compensation,” he said.

administration will not privatise the utility company.

“BPL is not for sale,” she said. “We are going to leverage strategic partners to ensure that BPL remains a viable energy utility meeting the current and future needs of all Bahamians.”

During his contribution to the debate, Mr Pintard accused Mrs Coleby-Davis and the administration of lacking transparency in their dealings with BPL.

“I find it very fascinating that the Minister for Energy, the brand new, spanking brand, new Minister for Energy, said that their plan is transformative but certainly we don’t believe that,” he said. “But even if it was transformative, it certainly isn’t transparent because we do not know what the plan is,” he said.

“And in fact, the minister supports this point that the public does not know, the workers do not know, stakeholders do not know. Energy providers who would have loved to compete for what they are giving out specifically to some would like to know.”

‘Top-up tax won’t directly affect Bahamians’, says PM

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“The vast majority of countries in the world, including those like us who didn’t previously have corporate income taxes, will be introducing similar regimes or face the threat of blacklisting and other possible consequences,” he said. “Rather than wait around to be accused of non-compliance, we have taken proactive action to introduce this corporate income tax.

“Our prospects as an appealing jurisdiction for investments and the operation of multinational corporations are just as strong as they ever were. If these companies don’t pay their tax here, they would simply have to pay the same tax to their home jurisdiction. We have managed to retain many of our competitive advantages as all nations will be on the same playing field in relation to corporate income taxes.

“So if they are operating here and we have the opportunity to get 15 per cent of their taxes, we need to collect it here. It only

makes sense. It is only prudent for us to make sure they pay their fair share here and not in their home jurisdiction.”

Mr Davis said the tax lets the country live up to its OECD commitments.

He compared pursuing revenue from large multinational companies to targetting people who owe real property taxes, many of whom, he said, are “owners of high-value properties”.

Acting director of the Department of Inland Revenue, Shunda Strachan, recently reiterated that her department will execute its power of sale against scores of delinquent real property tax accounts, saying the era of payment plans and amnesty periods is over. She said real property tax arrears stand at about $900m.

Mr Davis said yesterday: “Do we not feel that people who buy these nice vacation homes in some of the most beautiful areas that our nation has to offer should be paying their fair share? Why

their tax

Minister of Energy and Transport JoBeth Coleby-Davis speaks during the mid-year budget in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

PriMe Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaks during the mid-year budget in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer should they get to skip out on

obligations when the average middleclass family is living up to

their responsibilities? The system of non-enforcement as it existed, was patently unfair.”

‘It is in our national security interest to have peace in Haiti’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said Haiti’s deterioration, including the escape of thousands of criminals, shows why helping to stabilise that country is in the security interest of The Bahamas.

Some have criticised the Davis administration for committing 150 defence force officers to a multinational team to help stabilise Haiti.

But Mr Munroe noted yesterday that conditions in Haiti are worsening, with 4000 criminals recently freed from a prison there.

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has been locked out of his country and remains in Puerto Rico. Gangs vying for political power have demanded that he resign.

“From the deteriorating situation in Haiti, I think the Bahamian public realises why it is in our national security interest that we have peace in Haiti,” Mr Munroe said on Wednesday.

“After the prison outbreak, along with CARICOM, everyone is afraid these criminals will end up in The Bahamas. That is why we need peace in all the countries in this region. The Bahamas, with CARICOM, has committed to assisting in bringing the Haitian solution to their problem.”

Although Kenya has agreed to lead a multinational security force to Haiti, its plans have been stymied in court.

Mr Munroe said The Bahamas is committed to providing the Haitian Coast Guard maritime security training.

“We still hold to that commitment, and with the deteriorating situation in Haiti, you will need maritime security in terms of preventing inflows of contraband and outflows of migrants, and we are committed to that,” he said.

Mr Munroe said if a team is deployed, there would be rotations of 50 people onboard the HMBS Bahamas.

Earlier this week, Bahamasair, which flies to CapHaitien, suspended flights to Haiti. Haitian gangs have tried to take over the Port-au-Prince airport.

Yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell reiterated that repatriation exercises to Haiti have not been suspended.

“Repatriation,” he said in the House of Assembly, “has not been suspended from our point of view, but if the airport is closed, how do you get people in? So that’s the practical reality of it. Secondly, whoever emerges as the government in Port-au-Prince, we have to deal with, de facto, whether they are good or evil, if we want this repatriation to continue. So we can’t take any sort of high-minded approach and ideological approach on any of these things because we want the repatriation to continue.”

bus and taxi drivers to see fare increase within weeks

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

TRANSPORT and Energy Minister JoBeth ColebyDavis said bus and taxi drivers can expect to increase their fares in the coming weeks.

“Active consultations have been done with the Law Reform Commission to get the long-anticipated fees rolled out officially,” she said during her contribution to the mid-year budget debate yesterday in the House of Assembly.

“As minister, I share the frustration of taxi and bus drivers. However, we are diligently working on these matters. And I wish to also assure members of the public that we are cognizant of the need to balance the interests of all stakeholders. In short, we will keep public transportation affordable for all

Bahamians – especially our students and senior citizens.”

Last November, Mrs Coleby-Davis said a 25-cent bus fare increase would be rolled out in the first quarter of this year. This would increase bus fares to $1.50.

Harrison Moxey, the United Public Transportation Company’s (UPTC) president, later told Tribune Business his members wanted the new increase implemented before Christmas.

Mrs Coleby-Davis announced in the House of Assembly last year that the government had agreed to give taxi drivers a 10 per cent fare increase.

In June, Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU) president Wesley Ferguson president said while the industry wanted a 25 per cent fare increase, it would settle for 10 per cent because “drivers are making money”.

four-year-old boy found dead after left ‘unattended’ in bath

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“I think the public needs to be patient,” he said. “I remember back in the late 90s and early 2000s when there was an allegation the child had been sexually abused. People were

downtown, ready to lynch the parents, only to find out that the child had died of diarrhoea. So the pathologist will tell the police what the cause of death is, and that will assist them in concluding their investigation in that unfortunate matter.”

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe. Photo: Dante Carrer

Bowleg: We’ll change policy after Charlton unable to get reward

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Games can receive $40,000 for each gold, $30,000 for each silver, and $15,000 for each bronze medal won. Neither indoor championship achievements nor indoor world records are addressed in the document.

“This outdated bible that has been sitting in the ministry time after time, nobody decided to look at it, but this Davis administration understands that we have to

take a holistic approach to take care of our athletes,” Mr Bowleg said during his contribution to the mid-year budget debate yesterday.

“Guess what? When we update this sports policy, we intend to ensure with the collaboration of the Olympics Committee and the BAAAs, NACAC and everybody around the world who takes care of their athletes, we will ensure that those who break records in the past under the other administration and those who

break records under this administration is awarded properly.”

Ms Charlton’s 7.65second performance in the 60m in Scotland last week pushed The Bahamas into a seven-way tie for ninth place on the medal chart, the top place for a Caribbean country.

Last month, Mr Bowleg said his ministry would award Ms Charlton $10,000 after she first broke the 60m world record at the Millrose Games in New York.

MAiNTeNANCe staff at the Ministry of education staged a demonstration yesterday over longstanding issues, including backpay and poor working conditions.

Activist Richard Johnson said the workers are fed up and want immediate government intervention.

“ Teachers are not only members of education. You have the maintenance department in the back of me. You have security officers and you have the janitors who are also an important component of the Ministry of education so why is it only teacher’s issues are being addressed,” he said yesterday.

Devynne Charlton, of Bahamas, crosses the finish line to win the gold medal, ahead of second placed Cyrena Samba-Mayela, of France, left, in the women’s 60 meters hurdles final during the World Athletics Indoor Championships at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, Sunday, also setting a new world record.

Photo: Petr David Josek/AP

Publisher/Editor

Publisher/Editor

Contributing

RT

Picture of the day

Still in the dark on new BPL deal

were hopeful of more details being revealed about the proposed deal involving the future of Bahamas Power and Light when they tuned into the mid-year Budget debate yesterday, they were soon disappointed. the Prime Minister gave no further clues about how the reform of BPL would look, and nor did Energy and transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis.

Mrs Coleby-Davis did confirm the depth of BPL’s financial challenges, with a billion dollars worth of financial commitment needed. the business is more than $500m in debt, and she says $500 more will be needed over the next five years to upgrade the infrastructure.

It will not come as a surprise to any Bahamian that BPL has antiquated equipment, but the extent of the financial challenges will lead to plenty of frustration from customers who have been paying heavily in the past year. the pit BPL is in seems to only get deeper. Employee pensions are also apparently underfunded by $120m, while at board level, two members of the board have resigned for unexplained reasons.

Mrs Coleby-Davis said that there will be no layoffs, though the suggestion that there will be “new and exciting” roles for staff will be met with no little cynicism.

FNM leader Michael Pintard meanwhile had more than a fair point when he said that the administration was lacking in transparency over the suggested deals.

He said of the new energy plan, “… even if it was transformative, it certainly isn’t transparent because we do not know what the plan is.”

He added: “In fact, the minister supports this point that the public does not

know, the workers do not know, the stakeholders do not know. Energy providers who would have loved to compete for what they are giving out specifically to some would like to know.”

And there’s the rub.

Here we are, only a few months away from whatever the deal is and we cannot even use the right terminology to describe the deal as nothing has been let out of the bag.

Is it a takeover? Is it a management agreement? Will staff be sub-contracted out to these management groups? Will there be one deal? two? three?

Mrs Coleby-Davis said that the Davis administration will not privatise the utility company, so what will it be doing?

And is this a sign that the government does not believe that it can find the right Bahamians to run a Bahamian energy provider and has to farm it out to the private sector? Is this tantamount to an admission that the government can’t get it done on its own?

In the end, we spent a good amount of time in Parliament hearing very little, when frankly Bahamians deserved to hear a bit more. Not least of all those Bahamians who work at BPL who want to hear what their future is going to look like.

Prime Minister Philip Davis says that the reason for no further information is because talks are ongoing – but should the plan not be laid out so all interested potential partners can express an interest in the proposals? Who are the talks with if not with all possible suitors?

there is a great deal more we need to know about the BPL deal. Parliament did not give those answers yesterday, but those answers ought to come. And soon.

Physical Planning not helpful

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WOuLD like to share my experience with you and the public about a conversation I had with one of the top inspectors at Physical Planning.

I was complaining about a neighbour that I sold a piece of property to, about 12 years ago. We informed the inspector by phone that he was putting another building on the property that is not part of his lot. Years ago, we spoke to a Mr Zonikle and informed him that the man dug up the surveyor stakes to make his property larger. We don’t know what action Physical Planning did, because we never heard back from them.

However, over the last few weeks, the gentleman in question is using the space to build walls and fences that can easily indicate the property is his. this morning, again we called Physical Planning, as he is now also claiming my pump house and well that I gave him permission to use, after he had hooked up a pump and tank for his home. For some reason over the years he got the impression that producing a questionable document that looks nothing like all the documents the other properties have, that we sold. We couldn’t get town Planning officers to come and

investigate so we called the police on several occasions, who informed us he produced a paper that looked different from ours and suggested we take him to court. I can’t afford to take anyone to court as covid and other circumstances beyond my control, stripped us of our savings and earnings. My only hope for help would have been through Physical Planning who I was told is their responsibility to handle these situations, please keep in mind I am 86 years of age, suffer from COPD the third largest killer in this part of the world, serious case of shortness of breath and need the help of a recovering cancer patient, my wife, who is also suffering from not being able to move around easily without assistance, therefore with having bad experience with Physical Planning, I reluctantly called them to assist me in solving this matter which I was told is in their power. Not being able to reach Mr Zonikle who was busy, they put me on to the next person in charge. Not being able to talk, I translated to my wife and she spoke to him on the phone. she informed him of our situation, that the gentleman was claiming our well, he told me put up a fence and asked why I sold him my well, I told I didn’t sell

the well, he put up a fence around my building and now says it is his. the officer didn’t seem to understand that this person I sold land to, was over stepping the boundary. He was becoming belligerent and rude. the officer was extremely rude and wanted me to apologise to him or he would hang up the phone. I told him it wasn’t his place to speak to me that way, he was supposed to help me. His whole point wasn’t that the property was mine, which I have the documents dated back to the 1800s. Instead he suggested I bring the documents of proof to him. I asked him what happened to him coming to me to view the situation and look at the forged document this person is showing everyone, that we certainly didn’t give him. He warned me that if I didn’t stop arguing with him he would hang up on me. I told him it was his job to listen to me and that he was being extra rude, with no manners. In which case he hung up. It was a harrowing experience and should not be coming from any government office. I am demanding that such a person be removed from a position where he doesn’t have to deal with the public. BOB NEVILLE Nassau.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Just a little while ago, I came across a lil video clip which took a deeper look at the Pledge of Allegiance in the usA. It was a rather unorthodox look at those patriotic words, and it spurred on thoughts of looking at our national ideals in an out-of-the-box way. It makes a world of a difference when words have meaning.

so, here’s what I came up with.

“...One people united in love and unity” can and should be more than just a token, rhetorical patriotic pronouncement. It can change and foster so much in this Bahamas today, when words have meaning.

simply going through the motions appears to be such an integral part of Bahamian culture, that to take things literally or seriously can sometimes cause negative reactions in some surroundings. so, when it comes to our National symbols, laws, policies, rules and regulations, much of the population now may simply see such things as there... just for show. taken another way, however, what a wonderful Bahamas this would be.

Divine nature, one could say, has designed the Bahamas in such a unique way that it can either be a blessing or a curse... depending on how we look at it. 700

islands, rocks and cays are scattered across our brilliant, sparkling turquoise waters, in a magical array. Each inhabited island offers its own unique charm and challenges. Even the uninhabited ones hold special enchantments, if only for temporary delights. Yet, far too many Bahamians restrict themselves to a tiny piece of our pie, while visitors from near and far get to enjoy the splendors which abound throughout our archipelago.

If only we could see what we lookin’ at, and enjoy our own Bahamas in the most fulfilling ways. As simplistic as it might sound, by sharing and caring for each other, as well as the special gifts of these various islands, many of the issues we struggle with today could drift away with the outgoing tides. When we relate the words that our children recite from rote to their realities, then foster those same concepts into adolescent activities, and adult interactions, we will be well on our way to a better Bahamas. When words have meaning, it makes a world of difference. Can we agree that with so many of us bungled up in New Providence, for

example, the possibility of unnecessary conflicts and confrontations are likely increased? Ok, how do we then redistribute more folks to the Family Islands in positive ways? Of course, in doing so, there would be more dynamics which would have to come into play - including the good, the bad, and the ugly. that’s life! But, having common, loftier goals, as sung about in our National Anthem, could be an underlying zeal which could bring about the connectivity seal to truly integrate all the islands (and their people) forward, upward, onward together.

Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, we’re better off being detached and somewhat on our own, from island to island. Perhaps, some of our quaint, idyllic pieces of the pie would be adversely affected by closer links to certain other elements in this rapidly changing Bahamas. It’s yet to be seen, ... much less tried. For what it’s worth, it’s great to have our national ideals, but to live them out in our daily lives, so far has been quite an elusive thing. We certainly have all the right words. Now, to match them with our deeds would show... when words have meaning.

MB New Providence March 6, 2024

EDITOR, The Tribune.

GOvErNMENts came and left, and prime ministers and many who espoused looking out for the vulnerable pretended to care, but showed no interest. their deeds spoke loudly for them.

In recent memory, no gesture has spoken so loudly about our children and their well-being as the National school Breakfast Pilot Programme, which has been implemented in primary schools since the Philip Davis government came to power.

Outside of the political rhetoric, governments past were so business and bottom-line conscious that they made sure that at the end of the day, the conclusion must be what was in the balance sheet’s best interest and not the people’s well-being.

It is humanly impossible for children to concentrate when their tummies are empty.

Putting food on the table was hard, especially after the pandemic, when so many went to school hungry. It is safe to say that children struggled to pay attention while their belly growled.

But it took passionate and selfless humanitarians like Prime Minister Philip Davis and Education Minister Glennis Hanna-Martin to put all the financial setbacks aside, even at the risk of being ridiculed by the opposition, and feed the children. Children are our future.

the programme started in many schools in the Family Islands and Nassau and will continue until all the children start the day with a hot meal. this is powerful!”

Nation-building must begin with our children, so it stands to reason that the foundation for them would be far better by starting the day with a hot meal.

Instead of looking for a ‘gotcha’ moment, the whole country should give kudos for the vision of Mr Davis to steer criticism in the face and save our children. If no one else appreciates this kind gesture, the many families and the children, our future, would say thanks, if not now, later.

Bahamians are sensible people, and all sober-minded people must admit that it takes a man with a heart of gold and a high sense of compassion to make this noble effort.

We are so anxious to get boisterous about anything that seems insatiable to earn brownie points, but are we genuine enough to congratulate and sing the praises when something that has actual consequences benefits us all in the long run?

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaks during a sitting of the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

Pathologist testifies Stubbs and Forest died due to gunshot wounds to torso and head

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AS the inquest into a police-involved killing on Cowpen Road in 2018 continued yesterday, a pathologist testified that Roy Stubbs suffered six gunshot wounds to his chest and Ernest Forest was shot in his head.

Dr Caryn Sands testified that Roy Stubbs’ cause of death was gunshot wounds to the torso and extremities.

She said she observed six gunshot wounds to Stubbs’ chest during her autopsy and recovered six bullets from his body. She further said that the bullets went through his heart, liver, spleen and kidney.

She said she also saw gunshot injuries to Stubbs’ buttocks.

Dr Sands told K Melvin Munroe, the attorney for the two officers in this inquest, that given the bullets’ trajectory, it was likely that Stubbs was

standing sideways when he was shot in his posterior. She also said the deceased could have been in motion during the shooting.

She said Ernest Forest’s cause of death was gunshot wounds to the head, torso and lower left extremity.

She detailed how a bullet went through Forest’s occipital scalp and fractured his skull before entering his brain. She also said he suffered a gunshot wound to the torso that entered his right side, penetrated his lungs and vertebrae, and exited the left side of his back. She said Forest had a gunshot wound to his shoulder and abdomen, which penetrated his stomach.

Dr Sands told the jury that Forest suffered a broken femur from a bullet injury to his thigh. In addition to having abrasions to his left and right elbow, she said she recovered a bullet and two bullet fragments from

Forest’s body. The pathologist said neither deceased had evidence of close-range discharge to their bodies.

Inspector Henrington Curry of the police firearm unit testified that the silver and black

Smith & Wesson .38 special revolver and a black Ruger 9mm pistol allegedly found near the deceased’s bodies were tested and found capable of firing.

Inspector Curry further said some of the

bullet casings pulled from the scene of the shooting matched the weapons police say belonged to the slain men.

However, when the jury asked if he had performed fingerprint analysis on the two weapons, the officer

said that he could not answer as it was not done in his office.

It was previously testified that fingerprint swabs were taken from both weapons recovered at the scene.

Angelo Whitfield is marshalling the evidence.

Our beautiful beaches are scarred by plastic pollution - what will we do about it?

A FRIEND, who sometimes retreats to Elbow Cay, the capital of which is Hope Town, woke up early one morning to walk the wide and long beach near a peninsula on the cay. It was another brilliant day of exceptional beauty in The Bahamas.

He felt the rising yet soothing warmth of the sun. The avian life sang the chorus of an emerging day. He enjoyed the interplay and innumerable shades of blue and green ocean everchanging depending on the light.

Then an encounter with a single piece of plastic trash, then another. Then the deluge. Not of water but of a beach overrun and strewn with plastics from single-use plastics such as cups and shopping bags to industrial-sized bags which might have once contained fertiliser.

Much of the debris seemed to have come from the armada of ships transshipping goods through The Bahamas, though some may have been locally dumped or washed ashore by the tides circulating the ever increasing tons of plastic choking the world’s oceans.

He valiantly attempted to clean up the beach but there was too much debris for a single individual to tackle.

Last week, a Bahamian on a trip to mainland Abaco, with some friends from overseas, was also shocked at how much more prevalent are microplastics, even on beaches regularly cleaned.

Almost 60, he observed that absent one’s glasses, the multicoloured plastics resembled the shells he remembered picking up from the beach as a boy. When he visited this same Abaco beach in 2019, a month before Hurricane Dorian struck, there were less microplastics on the beach. That was just over four years ago. What will it be like four years hence?

Sixty years is a brief period in the life of our planet. But in those relatively brief 60 years, the climate emergency and environmental destruction have dramatically worsened. What will the marine and land environment of The Bahamas look like in another 60 years?

The chokehold of plastics on marine life and our waters and beaches is nationwide and worldwide. The Bahamas and the Caribbean are

becoming archipelagos of foreign and domestic environmental destruction and waste.

The Living on Earth website notes: “As an island nation, The Bahamas finds itself drowning in plastics carried from far away by ocean currents as well as from its tourism industry and domestic use.”

From a celestial vantage point, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield enthused: “The most beautiful place from space, is The Bahamas, with all the gorgeous colours of the ocean.”

After a terrestrial journey traversing the ocean banks of The Bahamas, the jade and turquoise waters of the Exuma Cays, and the kaleidoscope of dazzling colours and vistas of our archipelago, Hadfield’s observation of The Bahamas would likely prove even more enthusiastic.

He might sail the dazzling aquamarine waters of the channel at French Wells between Crooked Island and Long Cay, or enjoy other earth bound adventures.

The array, spectrum of blue and green Hadfield and other astronauts saw from the heavens are as, or more spectacular when enjoyed from the beach.

These shades and waves of blue-green that alterna-

“Scientists estimate that by 2025, The Bahamas will have around 687 million metric tons of plastic debris accumulating on its shorelines, Ambrose notes — an amount that exceeds the biomass of the people who live within the islands.”

tively rinse, lash, sooth, caress and touch our paradise of beaches, are now joined by a ravaging palette of microplastics of various garish colours.

Even as one’s feet are massaged and soothed by crumbling powdered and pink-hewn sand, they are also assaulted by fragments and armies of microplastics.

Our precious and beautiful Bahamaland is being scarred by plastic waste that harms and poisons marine life, fauna and humans, threatening our economic well-being and polluting our national parks.

Scores of mega vessels annually traverse our farflung archipelago, which encompasses an area of over 100,000 square miles and extends over 500 miles from north to south. Despite our small population of less than 400,000, the Bahamas is a big ocean nation.

Plastics are amphibious. They live as comfortably in the sea as they do on land. They do not discriminate as to whom they will harm.

Though studies are ongoing as to the effect on humans of eating fish contaminated by plastic there remains no debate that scores of us on the planet are now eating such contaminated fish.

The plastics in fish include plastic microbeads used in a variety of products such as toothpastes, cosmetics, body washes and other personal care products. These microbeads often end up remaining in the stomachs of fish and may be proving toxic to fish. How might this effect humans, especially the citizens and residents of a country such as ours, where fish is a staple?

The World website described the activism of environmental Kristal

Ambrose (Kristal Ocean), who is working to awaken Bahamians to the threats to our commonwealth of environmental treasures.

“We get things like octopus pots that wash off the coast of West Africa, from their fisheries; we get things from the southern Caribbean, like water bags, or detergent containers that wash up on our beaches; in addition to the usual suspects, we have oil jugs, and ropes and packaging straps from the fishing industry.

“And all of that is obviously fragmented. And then we have copious amounts of microplastics in our sand.”

She might have added the throwing of trash and plastic into the ocean by Bahamian beachgoers, fishers, mail boat workers and others.

The website notes: “Scientists estimate that by 2025, The Bahamas will have around 687 million metric tons of plastic debris accumulating on its shorelines, Ambrose notes — an amount that exceeds the biomass of the people who live within the islands. Much of that debris washes up in the Bahamas because of its proximity to the North Atlantic Gyre and the Gulf Stream.

“And as climate change intensifies, powerful hurricanes are a continuing problem: Hurricane Dorian left behind 1.5 billion pounds of disaster debris.

Ambrose says the Bahamas does not have the infrastructure or the capacity to cope with all of these problems.”

Plastics have invaded and are occupying our beautiful Bahamaland. With rising sea levels, these invading plastics will be pushed up even further on our coastlines and shores, and perhaps in time, on our doorsteps.

The late Timothy Gibson, the composer of our national

anthem, was born at Savannah Sound, Eleuthera, in 1903.

“Sound”, as the residents of the settlement call it with a lyrical accent, rests between Palmetto Point and Tarpum Bay. Savannah Sound took its later name from the savannah or the flat grassy area of the settlement and the sound on which generations of residents and visitors have walked out onto when the tides recede.

Gibson’s musical compositions suggest that the natural beauty of the Bahamas was as much a part of his soul as was his music.

The beautiful Bahamaland memorialised by individuals like Gibson and beloved by generations past who were closer to the land and the sea is now under dire threat by mass pollution, microplastics, and the climate crisis threatening the global commons and our low-lying archipelago.

Yet, many Bahamians seem unaware of the magnitude of these threats, the effects of which we are already experiencing and which are gathering speed.

Kristal Ambrose worked with others on the ban of single-use plastics, which was an important step in environmental protection and education. Still, there is much to be done to address plastic and other pollution. As she insists:

“Streams of plastic are still washing onto shores, not only in The Bahamas, but throughout the entire Caribbean region. What happens to that plastic?

That’s something that I’m looking at. How can we create better management strategies to address marine litter concentrations in The Bahamas? How can we revision that?”

Our answers and responses to her urgent questions, our re-visioning, must be the mission of us all.

A tale of several Trudeaus and one Donald Trump

THIS is a tale of several Trudeaus of different generations and Donald Trump.

The most current chapter in this story involved Trump and Garry Trudeau, possibly the most talented, impactful and socially committed cartoonist in American history. Trudeau, now 75, has partially stepped back from his trailblazing cartoon strip Doonesbury. It only runs as new work on Sunday these days. But it packed a punch this past weekend.

In the first frame of Sunday’s strip, a typical American couple is driving to church. From the back seat, their son asks “Daddy, why doesn’t Trump ever go to church?” The father replies: “He doesn’t need to, sweetheart. He was sent by God.” Son: “But why would God send someone so selfish and mean?” Daughter (also in back seat): “And who lies and cheats. Stuff we get punished for.”

Wife (from front seat): “No one’s perfect, kiddos. God sent us a flawed messenger to remind us of our own sins.” Son: “But then what’s the difference between Trump and someone Satan would send?” “Um…” the father hesitates.

In the last frame, his wife steps in with a snarky Biden reference. “Satan’s guy would be three years older, honey. And he’d over-rely on teleprompters.”

Trudeau has excoriated and mocked Trump in the comics for over 40 years, mostly while both men lived in New York City. Trudeau seems to have recognised Trump for his potential significance decades before most

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

politicians of either party figured it out.

Today, Doonesbury is syndicated to 1,000 daily and Sunday newspapers worldwide. In 1975, Trudeau became the first comic strip artist to win a Pulitzer Prize, which is traditionally awarded only to editorialpage cartoonists. He was also a Pulitzer finalist in 1990, 2004, and 2005. But despite his editorial fame, Trudeau’s most lasting contributions have come from his tireless advocacy on behalf of military veterans injured in America’s seemingly ceaseless parade of wars.

In some sense, Garry Trudeau is a kind of antithesis to Trump’s self-aggrandizing, falsely nationalistic and deceitful persona. And while “Doonesbury” has devoted much of its Sunday newspaper space for the past several years to scathing criticisms of Trump as essentially the emperor with no clothes, the feature this week cut a bit more deeply. It is thus emblematic of growing concern bordering on panic in liberal circles that Trump could somehow, counterintuitively from their perspective, be re-elected this year.

Two other Trudeaus are Canadian political icons. The

father, Pierre, was Canadian prime minister from 196879 and from 1980-84. It was during his second stint as Canada’s head of government that his only recorded meeting with Donald Trump occurred at a New York banquet. Despite this passing association, however, during that era the politics of these two men were largely congruent. Trump identified as an often- liberal Democrat in those days. Pierre Trudeau was a trailblazer who was progressive and well ahead of his time. As minister of justice and attorney general sixty years ago prior to election as Canadian PM, Trudeau created more flexible divorce laws, decriminalised homosexuality, and legalised abortion. Trudeau’s outgoing personality and charismatic nature caused a media sensation.

In fact, from the late 1960s until the mid-1980s, Trudeau dominated the Canadian political scene to an unprecedented extent. After his appointment as prime minister, he won the 1968, 1972, and 1974 elections before narrowly losing in 1979.

Trudeau is noted for having suppressed the 1970 Quebec separatist crisis by invoking the War Measures Act, the third and last time in

Canadian history that the act was brought into force.

He also formed close ties with what was then the Soviet Union; China, and Cuba, putting him at odds with other capitalist Western nations. Castro reportedly counted Pierre Trudeau as a personal friend.

But it is with Pierre’s eldest son Justin, now and for the past decade Canada’s prime minister, that Trump is much more closely linked. Truly the heir to his father’s immense political legacy, Justin Trudeau is 52 years old, born on Christmas Day. Soon after assuming leadership of the Canadian Liberal Party, Justin moved the thirdplaced Liberals in 2015 from 36 parliamentary seats to 184 seats, an increase of over 500 percent and the largest-ever numerical gain by any party in the annals of Canadian federal elections. Trudeau took office as the secondyoungest prime minister in Canadian history.

Trudeau’s government has negotiated trade deals such as the Trump-mandated post NAFTA trade agreement with the US and Mexico (CUSMA) and the TransPacific Partnership brokered by Barack Obama. He has signed the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Trump has been critical of Justin Trudeau, as the two men advocate significantly different policies on trade and political alliances, among a host of other issues. But the US-Canadian relationship has been sustained since the arrival of Trump on the international stage ten years ago, and while Justin doubtless prefers a Biden victory in November, it’s unlikely that even a second Trump term would seriously damage a relationship that features the longest undefended border in the world.

The balloT box,

will decide Presiden T

SUPer Tuesday,” a collection of presidential primary elections customarily held on the first Tuesday of March, passed this week with barely a whisper. Pundits really had to dig deep to find anything worth commenting about. For example, a few tried to impute significance to the Democratic “race” in American Samoa, where an unknown challenger to Biden scored some votes. Still, the inevitability of a Trump-Biden rematch is clear now even to the most die-hard advocates of more competitive races.

Something else is also coming into focus at the same time. That is the increasing likelihood that the American court system is not going to determine the outcome of this year’s presidential election.

For the past several years, many Americans have held the belief that somehow, Trump’s spectacular misdeeds would catch up with him in time to expel him from the 2024 election process.

This hope was first dashed when the US Senate failed to impeach Trump even though senators had just witnessed an armed assault by a mob of Trump supporters that threatened the security and even the lives of members of the US Congress and the sitting Vice-President.

Then, in the aftermath of that disaster, Trump faced the much-quoted total of 91 indictable charges in various US federal and state courts. Surely, many hoped, one or more of these indictments would result in his electoral demise.

But Trump isn’t spending tens of millions of dollars on lawyers for nothing. Nor is he intimidated at all by the awesome prospect of facing charges in court. Nor is he daunted by already confronting hundreds of millions of dollars in fines already assessed by judges

in cases involving a sexual assault decades ago and the accumulated sins of lying, falsifying documents and general malfeasance in the operation of his real estate company.

Trump loves a fight, especially one fought in the realm of the American court system. He has made a lucrative career out of staying just ahead of the next crashing legal wave for many years. This is just more of the same for him. It’s just magnified exponentially by the fact that he is running for president of the United States.

It was hardly a surprise when the US Supreme Court last week threw out a judgment by the supreme court of Colorado that Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021, merited his disqualification from this year’s election under the now familiar Article 14 of the US constitution. even the high court’s unanimous decision was hardly shocking.

A loyal Trump appointee in Florida will delay the classified documents case sufficiently that his inevitable appeals should push any final verdict well past November.

In Georgia, the almost unimaginable carelessness in her personal life of an otherwise capable and determined prosecutor will likely sabotage her attempt to hold Trump & Co. accountable for trying to fake a victory in the Peach State in 2020. even the redoubtable prosecutor Jack Smith’s federal insurrection case against Trump in the courtroom of a tough judge is going to be stalled until the high court issues a judgment on Trump’s claim of blanket immunity for actions committed while president.

No. This election will be decided where it should be decided: At the ballot box in November. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to work in a democracy? A

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• Responsibility for the maintenance and security of the property during the employer’s absence.

• Should possess a clean driver’s license and police record.

Politicians seek new alliances to help Haiti as gangs take over

PORT-AU-PRINCE Associated Press

Haitian politicians started pursuing new alliances Wednesday, seeking a coalition that could lead the country out of the gang violence that has fuelled lawlessness, closed the main airport and prevented embattled Prime Minister ariel Henry from returning home.

Haiti remained largely paralysed, with schools and businesses still closed amid heavy gunfire blamed on the gangs that control an estimated 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, where several bodies lay on empty streets. the country’s two biggest prisons were also raided, resulting in the release of more than 4,000 inmates over the weekend.

Henry faces increasing pressure to resign, which would likely trigger a USsupported transition to a new government.

One new political alliance involves former rebel leader Guy Philippe and ex-presidential candidate and senator Moïse Jean Charles, who told Radio Caraïbes on Wednesday that they signed a deal to form a three-person council to lead Haiti.

Philippe, a key figure in the 2004 rebellion that ousted former President Jean-Bertrand aristide, returned to Haiti in november and has been calling for Henry’s resignation. He spent several years in prison in the US after pleading guilty to a money laundering charge.

Meanwhile, the US ambassador to the United nations was asked Wednesday whether the United States asked Henry to step down.

Linda thomas-Greenfield replied that the US has asked Henry to “move forward on a political process that will lead to the establishment of a presidential transitional council that will lead to elections.”

american officials believe it’s urgent for Henry to start “the process of bringing normalcy back to the people of Haiti,” she said.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller echoed her remarks, saying the United States was not acting unilaterally but rather in consultation with partners in the region. and what we are saying to the prime minister is that he needs to expedite the transition to empowered and inclusive governance,”

Miller said.

Un spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the organization continued to deal with Henry as prime minister, adding that diplomats were “not in the business of encouraging him to resign.”

He said the Un chief is urging the government and all parties to set aside their differences and agree on “a common path towards the restoration of democratic institutions.”

Dujarric described the situation in Port-au-Prince as “extremely fragile,” with sporadic attacks forcing the cancellation of all flights in and out of Haiti.

“Health infrastructure is on the brink of collapse,” he said, noting that

wounded civilians were overwhelming hospitals and blood products were urgently needed.

Un human rights chief Volker turk said nearly 1,200 people have been killed in Haiti since the beginning of the year “because of this man-made violence.”

Caribbean leaders who have travelled to Haiti and previously met with Henry said Wednesday that a political solution is needed before the crisis worsens.

in spite of many, many meetings, we have not been able to reach any form of consensus between the government, the private sector, civil society, religious organizations,” said irfaan ali, president of Guyana, a country on South america’s atlantic coast. the challenges are “compounded by the absence of key institutions” such as the presidency and parliament, as well as the violence and the lack of humanitarian aid, he said. the prime minister has not made any public comments since gangs began attacking critical infrastructure late last week while he was in Kenya pushing for the Un-backed deployment of a police force from the East african country to help fight the surge in violence in the troubled Caribbean nation.

Before flying to Kenya, Henry was in Guyana for a summit held by a regional trade bloc known as Caricom, where Haiti was high on the agenda.

Meanwhile, a Caribbean official told the associated Press on Wednesday that leaders of Caricom spoke with Henry late tuesday and presented several alternatives to end Haiti’s deepening crisis, including his resignation, which he refused to do. the official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share details about the talks.

Henry landed tuesday in Puerto Rico after he was not allowed to land in the Dominican Republic, where officials closed the airspace around Haiti.

Héctor Porcella, director of the Dominican institute of Civil aviation, told reporters the plane did not have a required flight plan.

the Dominican Ministry of Foreign affairs said in a statement Wednesday that US and Haitian officials informally contacted it to inquire about the possibility of Henry’s plane making an “indefinite stop” in the Dominican Republic, adding that the prime minister was in new York at the time.

the government said it twice told foreign officials that such a move would require a defined flight plan.

“it is essential to note that the Dominican Republic maintains its willingness to continue cooperating with the international community to facilitate Haiti’s return to normalcy. However, it is imperative that any action taken does not compromise our national security,” the foreign affairs office said.

Dickon Mitchell, prime minister of the eastern Caribbean island of Grenada,

told the aP that regional leaders spoke late tuesday with Henry, who did not indicate anything except “that he is trying to get back into Haiti.” Mitchell

President Jovenel Moïse.

did not provide details.

Henry was appointed prime minister with the backing of the international community shortly after the July 2021 assassination of

as he tried to return to Haiti on Wednesday, heavy gunfire echoed throughout Port-au-Prince as Haitians feared additional attacks

led by powerful gang leaders. it was not clear when the country’s international airport would reopen.

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry, second left, arrives to give a public lecture at the United States International University (USIU) in Nairobi, Kenya, Friday. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry said Friday elections in his country need to be held as soon as possible in order to bring stability to the troubled Caribbean nation facing gang violence that threatens to overran government. Henry is in Kenya trying to salvage the deployment of a foreign armed force to Haiti to help combat gangs.

Photo: andrew Kasuku/AP

Pedestrians walk past a court building that was set on fire by gangs moments before in the Delmas 28 neighborhood of Portau-Prince, Haiti, yesterday.

Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP

Two teen boys charged with the murder of another two teens on Faith Ave last week

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TWO teenage boys were remanded in custody yesterday after they were accused of gunning down Andrew Newry, Jr, and Malik Seymour in a backyard ambush on Faith Avenue last week.

Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, charged the two 16-year-old boys, whose names are being withheld because they are minors,

with two counts of murder.

The boys’ parents and guardians were present for their arraignment.

The pair allegedly killed 16-year-old Newry and 17-year-old Seymour as they stood in the backyard of a residence on Faith Avenue North on February 26. While Newry attempted to flee inside the residence, he collapsed and died of his injuries. Seymour reportedly ran inside an unfinished

building before he also fell and died.

The defendants were informed that their matter would be transferred to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). They will be sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services adolescent unit. Their VBIs are set for release on July 1.

Alphonso Lewis and K Melvin Munroe represented them.

Man accused of Murder charged with Possession of a loaded gun while on bail

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN charged with murder was sent to prison yesterday after he was accused of having a loaded gun while riding an ATV on bail last week.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Shantino Rahming, 21, with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

Rahming faced a further charge of possessing dangerous drugs. He appeared before Magistrate Raquel Whyms.

While riding a fourwheeler ATV on John

Road on March 2, Rahming allegedly discarded a black Glock Austria .17 pistol from his waist after he saw police. After the gun was recovered and the suspect was arrested, he was allegedly found with 27 grams of marijuana and 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition in the gun. Although Rahming pleaded guilty to the drug charge, he entered a notguilty plea for the gun charges.

Magistrate Whyms placed the defendant on six months probation for the drug charge. He must attend drug counselling during that time. Defaulting would result in a one-month

prison term. Prosecutor Inspector Lincoln McKenzie objected to him getting bail for the gun charge, citing his murder charge.

Rahming is awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in the death of teenager Lamark Pierre between December 25, 2021, and January 3, 2022.

Rahming was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

The defendant must return to court for a report on the drug charge on September 6, while his gun trial begins on May 30.

Alex Dorsett represented the defendant.

Man charged with causing har M while atte MP ting to rob another M an on b ay s t

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was imprisoned yesterday accused of a violent botched robbery near Bay Street last week.

Magistrate Raquel Whyms charged Rashard Nesbitt, 28, with attempted robbery, causing harm, disorderly behaviour, obscene language and

resisting arrest. Nesbitt allegedly tried to rob Benny Alince on March 4, injuring him in the process. Later the same day, Nesbitt reportedly cursed and acted disorderly in front of WPC 4128 Price on Bay and Mackey Streets before resisting arrest from her. Nesbitt pleaded guilty to all the charges except

armed robbery. Prosecutor Sergeant Wilkinson objected to the defendant’s bail, saying he faced similar charges in the past and was recently released from prison for a prior robbery charge.

After being denied bail, Nesbitt was remanded to the BahamTwo teeas Department of Correctional Services until his trial begins on April 3.

Bahamas Development Bank celebrates 50th anniversary with church services

SPORTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

“It was a gutsy performance. We had a few errors that we should have capitalised on. We kind of missed the mark there but it happens. Every meet someone has to pull up their pants, someone else gotta step in and next man up, that is the mentality we have,” the coach said.He is looking forward to the day two performances of the athletes, particularly in the field events.

“Today is more of a field day so we gotta focus and, in those technical events, we tend to do pretty good,” he said.

KPMG

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE

event served as one of the qualifiers for the 2024 Optimist North American Championship and 2024 Optimist World Championship to be hosted in Puerto and Argentina which set the stage for some stiff competition.

than 40

FAST TRACK: Students compete yesterday on day 1 of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) Track and Field Championships at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

Coach Edwards added that he is not surprised at the closeness of the score in the race between SAC and QC for the BAISS track and field championship and bragging rights. This year’s meet brought out some CARIFTA-qualifying performances on and off the track.

Darvinique Dean, representing SAC, qualified

once again in the under-17 girls’ 100m hurdles. She ran a time of 14.19 seconds, well under the CARIFTA qualifying time of 14.89 seconds for first place. Additionally, she lowered the former meet record of 14.22 seconds achieved by Tess Mullings in 2007.

Kennedy Hanna, of St Anne’s, placed second in 15.10 seconds and Queen’s

sailors competed in the Laser fleet (ILCA 4 and ILCA 6), Sunfish fleet and Optimists (green and championship fleet). Finley MckinneyLambert, who is a part of the Eleuthera Sailing Academy, was crowned the winner of the Optis Championship fleet. Joshua Weech edged out his competitors in the ILCA 6. Sienna Jones, from the Lyford Cay Sailing Club, took bragging rights in the ILCA 4. Tanaj Manos was victorious in

College’s Kei-Mahri Hanna crossed the line third.

Jahcario Wilson, who attends SAC, got the school a first-place finish in the under-17 boys’ 110m hurdles. He stopped the clock at 14.41 seconds which was under the qualification mark of 15.65 seconds. Rohman Rolle, of Queen’s College, finished second and also dipped

under the qualifying standard with his time of 15.51 seconds.

Kersch Mackey got the third spot for the Big Red Machine in 16.06 seconds.

Taysha Stubbs, representing QC, broke NCAA javelin champion Rhema Otabor’s previous meet record of 39.44 metres with

THE SPORTS CALENDAR

PRO BOXER CARL HIELD IN PURSUIT OF SIXTH PRO WIN

YOUNG sailors compete in the KPMG Winter Youth Sailing Championship over the weekend. CARL HIELD Buddy, Page 17 By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

Carl Hield is set to get back in the ring next week Tuesday against Colombia’s Fabian Marimon in pursuit of his sixth straight pro win.

The matchup will take place in the super welterweight division in Santa Marta, Colombia.

Hield is going into the bout with a 5-0-0 win/loss/ draw record and remains locked in on his professional journey.

“First of all I want to give God thanks for the strength and opportunity which keeps me motivated and willing to achieve my goals. My mindset is to go in there, do what I have to do and see if the knockout comes. This guy is an experienced fighter with 19 wins and 11 losses and he has fought for a world title before. I am just trying to go in there and focus on what I did in training camp to get the victory,” Hield said.

Marimon has competed in 31 pro bouts and earned 13 wins via knockout. He currently owns a 19-11-1 win/loss/draw record and 68.42 percentage on knockouts.

The Colombian will be competing in his first bout of 2024 after taking a loss against the United Kingdom’s Mohammed Mehdi last October.

Hield is anticipating a tough fight against his next opponent.

“Preparation has been going well even though it was a last minute call for the fight. It is gonna be an interesting fight because I fought right handers my first five matches. Now I have a chance to compete in the pro game with a left hander,” he said.

SEE PAGE 19

Mar. 2024

LAST CHANCE SWIM MEET

WITH the Betty Kelly Kenning Aquatic Centre still under repairs, Bahamas Aquatics will hold its Last Chance Meet this weekend at the King’s College.

The meet, designed for swimmers nine years and older, will begin on Friday at 6pm and continue on Saturday with two sessions at 9am and 4:30pm.

It will serve as the final trials for the CARIFTA Games, scheduled for the Easter holiday weekend when the Bahamas will be going after its sixth consecutive victory at the newly renovated swimming complex. Swimmers will also get a chance to qualify for Bahamas Aquatics’ National Championships scheduled for June.

UB BASKETBALL

TRYOUT

THE University of the Bahamas will hold open tryouts for all young men interested in playing for the Mingoes basketball team. The trials will take

place at the Anatol Rodgers Gymnasium, starting at noon on Saturday. The team, coached by Baccus Rolle, currently competes in the New Providence Basketball Association and they travel to compete against various college teams in Florida.

SPARTANS TRACK CLASSIC

THE Noble Preparatory Academy Spartans will hold their annual Track and Field Classic on Saturday, March 16 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

The event will run from 9am to 2pm. The registration fee is $15 per athlete. The entry fee will be $15 for adults in the VIP stand and $8 for children. The general admission will be $10 for adults and $6 for children.

BAAA FINAL CARIFTA TRIALS

THE Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations is scheduled to hold its final CARIFTA trials at the original

Photo: Dante Carrer

SEE PAGE 17

UB Mingoes fall to Giants despite strong start to season

Dremiko McIntosh led the Mingoes with 18 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in the 106-59 loss to the Commonwealth Bank Giants in the New Providence Basketball Association action at The Kendal Issacs Gym last week Wednesday. Theodore Grant had 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Also in the loss, Delano Armbrister had eight points, eight rebounds and five steals. Gabriel Styles also had eight points, 15 rebounds and Erquantae Edgecombe had six points

and four rebounds in the loss. For the Giants, Dylan Musgrove leads all scorers with 27 points and nine rebounds, and Jackson Jacob with 23 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Mingoes started the game off taking the lead with a 3-point shot by Theodore Grant but that was short-lived. With close scores, the Mingoes trail the Giants 20-16 in the first quarter. Into the second quarter, the Mingoes fell behind, trailing by 14 points. The Mingoes managed to stay in the game. However, after

eight turnovers, the Mingoes went into halftime trailing the Giants 51-27.

Coming out of the halftime, The Giants extended their lead. The Mingoes’ defensive drive declined tremendously allowing the Giants to take a 41-point lead as they ended the third quarter trailing the Highflyers 80-39.

The Mingoes entered the fourth quarter with very little defence and ended the game with a loss to the Giants 59-106.

The Mingoes next play

The Caro Shockers at The Kendal Issacs Gym at 8pm on Friday.

Photos by UB Athletics

UB Mingoes forward Dremiko McIntosh fights through the defence of the Commonwealth Bank Giants on February 28 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. The Mingoes lost 106-59.

UB Mingoes guard Erquantae Edgecombe fights through the defence of Commonwealth Bank Giants forward Jordan Wilson during NPBA action last Wednesday.

UB Mingoes forward Gabriel Styles fights through the defence of Commonwealth Bank Giants forward Kevin Cooper at The Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

UB Mingoes forward Dremiko McIntosh fights through the defence of the Commonwealth Bank Giants centre Adam Johnson.

UB Mingoes forward Gabriel Styles attempts to score against the Commonwealth Bank Giants in New Providence Basketball Association action on February 28 at Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

UB Mingoes forward Javez Martin sizes up the defence from Commonwealth Bank Giants forward Dylan Musgrove.

‘Buddy’ Hield scores 15 in 115-109 loss to Grizzlies

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— Jaren Jackson Jr. had 30 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks, Jake LaRavia had 19 points and 13 rebounds and the Memphis Grizzlies used an 11-0 run late in the fourth quarter to rally to a 115-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers last night.

The Grizzlies trailed by 12 entering the fourth before getting hot in the final minutes much like they did in a win Monday night at Brooklyn.

One of the worst teams in the NBA, Memphis has won two in a row following a five-game losing streak.

The Grizzlies outscored the 76ers 34-16 in the fourth.

Kelly Oubre Jr. led the 76ers with 25 points and Paul Reed had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Chavano “Buddy” Hield scored 15 points with five rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block.

The Sixers played a second straight game without All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey as he recovers from a concussion. Maxey lost his balance on a drive Sunday in the third quarter of a game at Dallas and banged his head on another player’s knee.

He left the game, but was able to return and finish. With the Sixers coming off a loss a night earlier at Brooklyn, Maxey was expected to sit this one out, given the NBA’s protocols governing returning to play after a concussion.

Coach Nick Nurse said before the game Maxey still experienced “very mild symptoms.”

The Sixers have gone a month without reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid and there is still no timetable on his return from knee surgery.

While he and Maxey are clearly the biggest names sitting out, the Sixers have been riddled by injuries this season and an expected Eastern Conference contender is now fighting to stay out of the play-in tournament. Robert Covington hasn’t played this calendar

year because of a left knee bone bruise and could start on-court activities within a week to 10 days.

De’Anthony Melton hasn’t played since the end of March with lumbar spine bone stress.

The Sixers said ahead of the game that Melton would be evaluated again in two weeks.

The Sixers started three players — Nicolas Batum, Hield and Cam Payne — who weren’t on the opening night roster.

They were forced to rely on guard Jeff Dowtin Jr., who scored 10 in just his second game since he signed a two-way contract. He spent this season with the G League Delaware Blue Coats but did play 25 games last season under Nurse in Toronto.

The Grizzlies are fighting through their own injury woes with Ziaire Williams (hip) and Derrick Rose (groin) recently added to a lengthy list of achy players that included All-Star Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart.

While the Grizzlies weren’t necessarily expected to contend for a playoff spot, the injuries wreaked havoc with their rotations and had them ahead of only Portland and San Antonio in the Western Conference standings.

In a matchup of undermanned teams, Memphis did win its 15th game on the road against only seven at home.

Vince Williams Jr., who had 17 points and nine assists, put the Grizzlies ahead 105-104 with a pair of free throws and they never trailed again.

MAGIC 119, WIZARDS 109 WASHINGTON (AP)

— Franz Wagner scored

PHILADELPHIA 76ers guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield (17) in action against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half on Tuesday night in New York. The Nets won 112-107. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

28 points, Paolo Banchero added 25 and the Orlando Magic rallied from a 21-point second-quarter deficit to beat Washington 119-109 last night, handing the Wizards their 16th consecutive loss.

Washington (9-53) tied a team record for longest losing streak, matching a skid from the 2009-10 season. The Wizards looked on their way to ending this slide, but were done in by a 44-point second half against one of the league’s best defensive teams.

Orlando (37-26) has won eight of nine. It was the largest comeback of the season for the Magic, who last rallied from a 21-point

deficit on Jan. 30, 2023, at Philadelphia. The last time Orlando had a bigger comeback was November 21, 2014, at Charlotte, when the team overcame a 23-point deficit to win. Jordan Poole scored 26 points for Washington, which hasn’t won since a victory at San Antonio on January 29.

Kyle Kuzma added 25 points for the Wizards, who haven’t won at home since December 29 against Brooklyn.

HAWKS 112, CAVALIERS 101

ATLANTA (AP) — Saddiq Bey scored 23 points and Atlanta recovered after losing a 21-point lead to beat Cleveland.

Bogdan Bogdanovic also scored 23 points for the Hawks, who prevented the Cavaliers from sweeping the four-game season series. Jalen Johnson sprained his right ankle early in the third period and was helped off the court.

One night after erasing a fourth-quarter deficit of 22 points in a 105-104 home win over Boston, the Cavaliers rallied to take the lead after trailing the Hawks by 21 points in the third.

This time Cleveland couldn’t make the comeback stand. Jarrett Allen led Cleveland with 18 points and 19 rebounds. Isaac Okoro added 17 points.

CLIPPERS 122, ROCKETS 116

HOUSTON (AP) — Kawhi Leonard had 28 points, and Paul George and James Harden each scored 21 as Los Angeles rallied for a win over Houston.

The Clippers trailed by as many as 20 and didn’t lead in the second half until there were less than three minutes remaining.

Los Angeles overcame another big night from Houston big man Alperen Sengun, who had 23 points, a season-high 19 rebounds and 14 assists for his fourth career triple-double.

It came a night after he scored a career-best 45 points in a win over San Antonio.

Smith added 19 points for Houston and rookie Cam Whitmore had 17.

Thomas A Robinson National Stadium March 15-17.

The BAAA will be looking at athletes who qualify in both the under-17 and under-20 divisions for boys and girls to represent the country at CARIFTA in Grenada over the Easter holiday weekend.

A number of athletes have already attained the qualifying standards set by the BAAA.

However, that does not guarantee a spot on the team unless nobody betters their performances at the trials.

VOLLEYBALL BBSF TOURNAMENT

THE newly formed Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation is inviting all churches interested in participating in their volleyball tournament to attend a meeting at 6pm on Saturday, March 9 at the William Thompson Auditorium, Jean Street.

At the meeting, plans will be revealed for the staging of the tournament April 24-27.

All churches interested in participating are urged to have at least two members present.

FAST TRACK INVITATIONAL FAST Track Athletics announced that its third annual Spring Invitational will take place over the weekend of May 10 and May 11 at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex.

The entry fee will be $10 for adults and $5 for children.

The entry fee will be $10 for adults and $5 for children.

For more information, persons are asked to contact 242-727-6826 or fasttrackmanagamentoo@ gmail.com

RED-LINE YOUTH

TRACK CLASSIC

THE Red-Line Athletics Track Club’s third annual Red-Line Youth Track Classic is set for 9am to 5pm May 25-26 at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

The entry deadline is May 15 with a fee of $19 per athlete and $10 per relay team.

NEX-GEN CAMP

THE Nex-Gen Camp is scheduled to be held at the Teleos Basketball Gymnasium on Carmichael Road. Space is limited so persons are asked to book their reservations as soon as possible.

JRC Basketball Academy will stage the third annual elite training camp June 24 to July 13 each day from 9am to noon.

the Sunfish class and Christian Wells won the Optis green fleet. Paul de Souza, head coach of the Bahamas National Sailing School (BNSS), was proud of his sailors’ competitiveness in the ILCA 6 fleet.

“For The Bahamas National Sailing School, our boys Joshua Weech, Norman Cartwright and Craig Ferguson pretty much come first, second and third every event they sail in the Laser. We are first, second and third in the Laser class for the boys which is very good. It has been like that for a while and it is always just a different person that wins every time. For the most part it is Joshua Weech that wins and he did win this event too,” the coach said.

There was only a onepoint margin between first and second place for the ILCA 6 fleet. Weech earned a total of 12. Norman Cartwright, who won the Laser Class at the Sir Durward Knowles Junior Sailing Championships, settled for second with 13. Craig Ferguson wrapped up third with a total of 17.

Eliza Denning was the top female performer in the Laser class with 25. The battle on the waters was tightly-contested as sailors in the ILCA fleets are vying for a ticket to the 2024 Youth Sailing World Championships set for July in Lake Garda, Italy.

De Souza said it is great to watch the sailors of the BNSS compete with each other on their quest to qualifying. “For my boys it is just a competition between themselves. I will be happy for each one of them equally if they qualify. It is always great to watch them compete against each other. It doesn’t matter to me who ends up qualifying in the end but it is fun to watch them battle it out,” he said. McKinney-Lambert took the hardware for the Optis

championship fleet to no surprise. He finished with a total of 9. Patrick Tomlinson, former Optis national champion, placed second and Rankine Javien came third with a total of 21.

Mary Jac Nash was the best female sailor in the championship fleet with a total of 29.

Manos was impressive in the Sunfish class over the weekend. He totalled 5 after two days of competition on the waters. Kahden Knowles ended with a score

of 10 for second and Tyler Russell totalled 14 for third. In the Optis beginner fleet, Wells, of the Royal Nassau Sailing Club, led the way with a total of 6. Abel Ponnore finished second overall with 14. Kai Harvey, representing BNSS, was a mere point behind at 15. De Souza felt the event was a success for yet another year.

“I think it was a great success. I was a little worried because we just had the SDK Junior Sailing

Championships the week

before and I was worried about attendance not being as high but because it was a qualifier, it boosted attendance. It is always a great event. We always joke that it is super windy during the KPMG Winter Youth Championships, which is why kids like to sail it.

“Unfortunately, this year it wasn’t quite as windy as it was in the past but it was still great conditions and all the kids had a good time,” he said.

Next up for the national sport of The Bahamas will be the National Junior Sailing Regatta April 23-27 in Exuma.

Young sailors compete in the KPMG Winter Youth Sailing Championship over the weekend at the Nassau Yacht Club.

WASHINGTON Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe directs his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic last night in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

BAISS TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS @ TAR STADIUM

Photos by Dante Carrer

SAC Big Red Machine holds slim lead over QC Comets after day 1

FROM PAGE 15

her heave of 44.26m on day one. She repeated as a CARIFTA qualifier, surpassing the standard of 40.10m. The top three performers in the under17 boys’ triple jump made the CARIFTA qualifying standard. The Comets’ Davon Davis once again qualified in the event with a leap of 13.70m. SAC’s Carlin Archer notched 13.69m for second and her teammate Terrin Beckles soared to 13.16m for third.

QC’s Ahkheel Williams bested CARIFTA under-17 boys’ javelin throw standard of 44.95m with his throwing distance of 44.98m in the U15 boys event. The mark was also a new BAISS meet record. Pete Smith owned the previous record of 44.87m achieved in 2004.

ON THE TRACK

The Big Red Machine ran away with victories

in the U17 girls and boys 400m finals, U13 boys and girls 1,500m, U20 girls 100m and U20 boys 110m hurdles events. Bayli Major and Tamia Edwards took the first and second positions for SAC in the U20 girls’ 100m hurdles. The former notched 15.09 seconds and her teammate ran 15.86 seconds. QC’s Kennise Major trailed the pair of SACers for third. The Big Red Machine had the top two performers in the U20 boys’ 110m hurdles. Jehiel Smikle and Rondino Dean placed first and second with times of 14.61 seconds and 14.96 seconds respectively. Kenny Moxey crossed the line at 15.72 seconds in third.

Alexis Roberts and Eagan Neely finished atop the U17 boys and girls 400m finals. Roberts led the girls with a time of 56.48 seconds and Neely led the boys with 49.52 seconds.

Dontae Culmer and Shimoi Bain emerged victorious in the U13 boys’ and girls’ 1,500m finals respectively.

As for the Comets, they collected wins in the U17

and U20 girls’ 1,500m, U13 and U20 boys 400m and the U15 boys 80m hurdles.

Comets head coach Everette Fraser said the school had some letdowns on day one but are very

optimistic moving into day two. “It was good. We had some surprises, we had some letdowns but that’s competition. We had some downfalls in certain areas but it is what it is, we just gotta execute and fight for it. We are gonna be ready, we have to fight for it, we cannot just let them take it away from us. Anytime we have a position we have to keep it, even if it’s seventh we have to keep it and fight for it,” Fraser said. He is looking forward to some winning performances in the 100m sprints today.

“I just gotta tell the kids coming into day two we look good, we are close. I expected to be up on top but things do happen, but tomorrow we look good going into the 100s. We still have some distance races to run tomorrow which I feel confident in. If everybody executes, hopefully it will be a different score

tomorrow afternoon after the competition. Hopefully we are ahead, that is the plan,” he said.

ON THE FIELD

The Comets were strong in the field events yesterday. They won a total of seven field events.

CARIFTA double medallist Jamiah Nabbie gave the Comets the advantage in the U20 girls’ high jump. She notched 1.50m for the win. Breyniece Kemp and Kaechan Munroe came second and third for TCS.

Tarjahnaye Green had a winning performance in the U15 girls’ discus throw with a distance of 27.51m for QC.

Keely Deveaux and J’Kaiya Rolle got the job done for QC in the U17 girls’ long jump with first and second-place finishes. SAC’s Roberts came third.

The BAISS Track and Field Championships continue today at 9am.

REAL MADRID INTO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTERFINALS AFTER DRAW VS LEIPZIG

By TALES AZZONI

MADRID (AP) — A

tough day for Carlo Ancelotti ended on a good note as Real Madrid advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the fourth straight season despite a lacklustre performance against Leipzig yesterday.

After being accused of tax fraud by Spanish tax authorities during the day, Ancelotti saw Madrid struggle in a 1-1 draw with Leipzig that was just enough to put the European powerhouse into the last eight thanks to the 1-0 win from the first leg in Germany three weeks ago. Madrid was outplayed during parts of the match at

the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, drawing some jeers by the home crowd, but held on to advance 2-1 on aggregate.

Earlier, prosecutors in Madrid accused Ancelotti of defrauding Spanish tax authorities of one million euros in 2014 and 2015 during his first stint with the club. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months for the Italian coach, claiming he used a shell company to hide parts of his income from image rights. Ancelotti addressed the accusations after the match and denied wrongdoing. “It’s an old story that started eight years ago because of a tax declaration for 2015,” Ancelotti said. “The tax authority says that

CARLO Ancelotti

I was a resident at the time and I don’t think that I was a resident. I already paid the fine, the money is with them, and now the lawyers are talking to try to find a solution. I’m convinced that I’m innocent, that I was not a resident in 2015, and they

think that I was a resident. Let’s see what the judge says.”

Ancelotti said the tax issue was not affecting him.

“Hopefully it can be resolved soon,” he said. “I don’t have any problems, I’m very calm. The only problem I have is that the team has to play better.”

Ancelotti said it wasn’t the best night for Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Vinícius Júnior put the hosts ahead after an assist by Jude Bellingham in the 65th and a gritty Leipzig side equalised with captain Willi Orbán in the 68th.

Leipzig had several chances to pull off the upset after a lacklustre performance by Madrid, the record 14-time European champion. Dani Olmo’s

attempt hit the crossbar in stoppage time.

“It was a bad match, we didn’t play well,” Ancelotti said. “They have quality and played with nothing to lose, while we had the brakes on. We suffered in the end but what mattered was to reach the quarterfinals and we did it.”

Leipzig ended with 21 total attempts against 12 by Madrid. The German side also had more attempts on target — four against three by the hosts. “We did feel like we had their number at times today,” Leipzig coach Marco Rose said. “I respect Real Madrid a lot, the whole team, and I congratulate them on making it through. But I have to repeat my praise for my

team. To travel here in a knockout game with such a result from the first leg and to show that you really believe, that’s something extraordinary.” In the other round-of-16 match yesterday, defending champion Manchester City defeated Copenhagen 3-1 at home to advance 6-2 on aggregate.

Madrid, celebrating its 122nd anniversary, got off to a slow start and struggled against a Leipzig team that was well set up. The German side threatened on several occasions, forcing Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to make a few good saves. There were some jeers by the crowd at the Bernabeu at halftime, when Madrid finished with no attempts on target.

FIRST DAY: Students compete yesterday on day 1 of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) Track and Field Championships at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

victory twice in 2024.

In January, he defeated Colombian Jose Agustin

Julio and followed it up with a win against Emilio Julio last month. Hield’s five pro bouts were all won via knockout. He is enjoying every step of the journey and experiencing great progression along the way.

“I can say the journey is going well. Every fight, you can see that I am adapting to the pro styles. Once I get in more fights, I will start growing and hopefully be

able to have a promoter or management team connect with me,” he said. The undefeated boxer is always adamant about his pursuit of a world title. Recently, pro boxer Rashield Williams took home the National Boxing Association welterweight title against Uruguay’s Andres Viera. Hield said Williams’ his latest accomplishment gave him more motivation. “It really motivated me more because training, being in the same gym and communicating with Rashield gives

me more motivation to fight for a world championship. It shows me that if I went pro a long time ago I could have already fought for a world title but him winning gave me motivation to stick to the process to get a good ranking and be in a position to fight for a world title too,” he said. Hield thanked Rollin’ Tyre Imports (Trinidad and Tobago), Jet Wave, J-Tech Windows, SO Management, the Bahamas Boxing Federation and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for their support.

A vacancy is available for a Financial Controller in the Bahamas

Maritime Authority Finance team based in London (United Kingdom). The Bahamas Maritime Authority is one of the leading Flag State Administrations in the world and is seeking to strengthen its Finance team in the United Kingdom. London is one of the global business hubs in the world and home to the strong BMA team.

The Financial Controller is a key leadership role responsible for managing the finance department in London and overseeing the finances of other offices. This role involves strategic financial management, including developing and implementing financial policies, ensuring accurate financial reporting, and leading the budgeting and forecasting processes. The Financial Controller will ensure compliance with financial regulations, manage cash flow, and provide decision support Head of Finance. Additionally, this role encompasses team management, developing internal controls, and coordinating audits. Deputise for the Head of Department in their absence.

If you are interested in this role, please send your CV along with a cover letter, and a copy of your accounting qualifications to hr@ bahamasmaritime.com

Key responsibilities:

• Financial Leadership and Strategy:

o Provide direction and guidance on financial policies, systems, and procedures to ensure efficient and effective management of the company’s finances.

• Team Management:

o Assist in the management and oversight the finance team, ensuring tasks are completed accurately and on time.

o Provide leadership, direction, and training to finance staff to achieve departmental objectives.

• Financial Reporting and Compliance:

o Assist with accurate and timely financial reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual statements.

o Management of the accounting software overseeing the release of entries, consolidation reports.

o Preparation of Bahamas Shipowner’s Association financial reporting and audit.

o Process of the pension contributions and Payroll (Tax & NonTax).

• Budgeting and Forecasting:

o Assist the budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring they are completed effectively and reflect the company’s financial position and future risks and opportunities.

• Cash Management:

o Oversee cash flow planning and ensure the availability of funds as needed.

o Oversee banks in all offices and third-party authorisation in the regional online banking system.

o Maintaining up-to-date, accurate accounting records, processing “BORIS” transactions and approving bank reconciliations.

o Implement strategies to optimise the company’s financial resources.

o Management of the Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payables.

o Management of the credit and credit controls for external clients.

• Audit and Internal Controls:

o Coordinate with local and regional auditors during audits and reviews.

o Develop and maintain internal controls to safeguard financial assets of the organisation.

• Financial Analysis and Decision Support:

o Conduct financial analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.

o Provide recommendations to the Head of Department based on financial analysis and projections.

o Maintain up-to-date, accurate accounting records and oversee VAT reporting, audits, and banking operations.

o Act as a point of contact for third-party service providers and manage relationships effectively.

o Implement and maintain financial management systems and processes.

Person Specification:

• Skills and Experience:

o Strong analytical skills and excellent organizational skills.

o Proficient in Microsoft Office packages and experience with multi-currency accounting software.

o Demonstrated leadership capabilities with a team-oriented approach.

Qualifications required:

• Essential:

o Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or Business-related subjects

o Qualified ACCA, CPA, CA

• Desirable:

o Master’s degree in accounting, Finance or Business-related subjects

o 5+ years’ experience in a senior role

o Data analytics

Personal qualities required:

o High level of confidentiality and attention to detail.

o Commercial and market awareness.

o Strong leadership, team player, and critical thinking skills.

The role is based in our London office.

Benefits:

London competitive salary; 15% gratuity paid every three years;

UK Private medical insurance; 22 days holiday per annum (pro rata) in the first year

21st March

Closing date for application

Start Date: 1st May